Synthesis of heterocyclic compounds

ABSTRACT

Provided herein are intermediates and processes useful for facile synthesis of biologically active molecules.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/653,994, filed on May 31, 2012, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to heterocyclic compounds, methods for the preparation thereof, and compounds prepared employing same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

N-[3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carbonyl]-2,4-difluoro-phenyl]propane-1-sulfonamide or propane-1-sulfonic acid {3-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carbonyl]-2,4-difluorophenyl}-amide (Vemurafenib; Zelboraf™) is effective for the treatment of various B-raf mediated diseases and conditions, including, but not limited to, metastatic melanoma, thyroid cancers and colorectal cancers (Nature, 2010, 467, 596-599; New England Journal of Medicine, 2010, 363, 80). The compound and its synthesis have been described in PCT Patent Publication Nos. WO 2007/002433 and WO 2007/002325. There remains interest in developing other versatile and facile processes for the efficient preparation of this and other biologically active molecules, especially, on an industrial scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a compound of formula (I):

The compound can be used as an intermediate for the synthesis of various biologically active molecules. In formula (I):

-   -   Q is F or H;     -   P¹ is hydrogen or a labile protecting group;     -   P² is an amino protecting group or hydrogen; and     -   L¹ is Br, Cl, I, R¹—SO₂O— or R²C(O)O; wherein R¹ and R² are each         independently optionally substituted aryl or optionally         substituted C₁₋₆alkyl.         In one embodiment, P¹ is H. In another embodiment, Q is F; P¹ is         H; and L¹ is Br.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing a compound of formula (I). The method comprises contacting a compound of formula (II):

with an agent having the formula: P²—X¹ under conditions sufficient to form the compound of formula (Ia):

and contacting a compound of formula (Ia) with an agent of formula: P¹—X³ under conditions sufficient to form the compound of formula (I), wherein:

-   -   X¹ is selected from Br, Cl, I, tosyl-O—, mesyl-O—,         trifluoromethanesulfonyl-O—, CF₃C(O)O— or CH₃C(O)O—;     -   X³ is a leaving group;     -   P¹ is hydrogen or a labile protecting group;     -   P² is an amino protecting group;     -   Q is H or F; and     -   L¹ is Br, Cl, I, R¹—SO₂O— or R²C(O)O; wherein R¹ and R² are each         independently optionally substituted aryl or optionally         substituted C₁₋₆alkyl.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing a compound of formula (III):

The method comprises

-   (i) contacting a compound of formula (I) with an agent having the     formula: Y—B(OR⁵)₂ (i.e., formula IVb) or the formula: Y—Sn(Bu)₃     (i.e., formula IVc) and a palladium or a nickel complex under     conditions sufficient to form a compound of formula (IV):

-   (ii) reacting a compound of formula (IV) with an agent of the     formula: A¹-S(O)₂—Z (i.e., formula IVa) under conditions sufficient     to form a compound of formula (IX);

and

-   (iii) removing the protecting group P² under conditions sufficient     to form the compound of formula (III),     wherein:     -   Q is H or F;     -   R⁵ is —OH, C₁₋₆alkyl or two —OR⁵ substituents together with the         boron atom to which they are attached form an optionally         substituted 5 or 6-membered ring;     -   A¹ is a leaving group;     -   Y is optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted         heteroaryl; and     -   Z is —N(R⁶)(R⁷) or —C(R⁸)(R⁹)(R¹⁰); wherein:         -   R⁶ and R⁷ are each independently selected from the group             consisting of H, optionally substituted C₁₋₆alkyl,             optionally substituted C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, optionally             substituted C₃₋₈cycloalkylalkyl, optionally substituted             heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted             heterocycloalkylalkyl, optionally substituted aryl,             optionally substituted arylalkyl, optionally substituted             heteroaryl and optionally substituted heteroarylalkyl; or R⁶             and R⁷ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they             are attached form a four to eight-membered ring having from             0-2 additional heteroatoms as ring members selected from N,             O or S, wherein the four to eight-membered ring is             optionally substituted; and         -   R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently H, optionally             substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, optionally substituted,             C₁₋₆haloalkyl, optionally substituted C₁₋₆haloalkoxy,             optionally substituted C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, optionally             substituted C₃₋₈cycloalkylalkyl, optionally substituted             aryl, optionally substituted arylalkyl, optionally             substituted heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted             heterocycloalkylalkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl,             optionally substituted heteroarylalkyl or —X²R¹¹, wherein X²             is —NR¹², O or S; R¹² is H, C₁₋₆alkyl or aryl; and R¹¹ is H,             C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆haloalkyl, C₁₋₆haloalkoxy, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl,             C₃₋₈cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or             heteroarylalkyl, wherein R¹¹ is optionally substituted with             from 1 to 3 R^(e) substituents selected from halogen, —CN,             —CH═CH₂, —OH, —NH₂, —NO₂, —C(O)OH, —C(S)OH, —C(O)NH₂,             —C(S)NH₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(S)NH₂, —NHS(O)₂NH₂,             —C(NH)NH₂, —OR^(f), —SR^(f), —OC(O)R^(f), —OC(S)R^(f),             —C(O)R^(f), —C(S)R^(f), —C(O)OR^(f), —C(S)OR^(f),             —S(O)R^(f), —S(O)₂R^(f), —C(O)NHR^(f), —C(S)NHR^(f),             —C(O)NR^(f)R^(f), —C(S)NR^(f)R^(f), —S(O)₂NHR^(f),             —S(O)₂NR^(f)R^(f), —C(NH)NHR^(f), —C(NH)NR^(f)R^(f),             —NHC(O)R^(f), —NHC(S)R^(f), —NR^(f)C(O)R^(f),             —NR^(f)C(S)R^(f), —NHS(O)₂R^(f), —NR^(f)S(O)₂R^(f),             —NHC(O)NHR^(f), —NHC(S)NHR^(f), —NR^(f)C(O)NH₂,             —NR^(f)C(S)NH₂, —NR^(f)C(O)NHR^(f), —NR^(f)C(S)NHR^(f),             —NHC(O)NR^(f)R^(f), —NHC(S)NR^(f)R^(f),             —NR^(f)C(O)NR^(f)R^(f), —NR^(f)C(S)NR^(f)R^(f),             —NHS(O)₂NHR^(f), —NR^(f)S(O)₂NH₂, —NR^(f)S(O)₂NHR^(f),             —NHS(O)₂NR^(f)R^(f), —NR^(f)S(O)₂NR^(f)R^(f), —NHR^(f),             —NR^(f)R^(f) and R^(f), wherein R^(f) is C₁₋₆alkyl,             C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl or aryl,             wherein R^(f) is optionally substituted with from 1-3 R^(g)             substituents selected from —CN, —CH═CH₂, —OH, —NH₂, —NO₂,             —C(O)OH, —C(S)OH, —C(O)NH₂, —C(S)NH₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, —NHC(O)NH₂,             —NHC(S)NH₂, —NHS(O)₂NH₂, —C(NH)NH₂, —OR^(h), —SR^(h),             —OC(O)R^(h), —OC(S)R^(h), —C(O)R^(h), —C(S)R^(h),             —C(O)OR^(h), —C(S)OR^(h), —S(O)R^(h), —S(O)₂R^(h),             —C(O)NHR^(h) or R^(h), wherein R^(h) is C₁₋₆alkyl; or any             two of the R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ groups taken together with the             carbon atom to which they are attached form a 3 to             8-membered optionally substituted non-aromatic ring having             from 0 to 2 heteroatoms selected from N, O or S.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to novel synthetic intermediates and processes for the large-scale preparation of compounds that have the following core structure (aa):

namely, [2,6-difluoro-3-(sulfonylamino)phenyl]-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)methanone core or [2-fluoro-3-(sulfonylamino)phenyl]-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)methanone core. The wavy lines indicate the points of attachment to the remainder of the structure. In some embodiments, the 5-position of the 7-azaindole ring in the core structure (aa) is occupied with the substituent Y and the sulfonyl group is linked to the substituent Z. The variables Q, Y and Z are as defined in the Summary of the Invention and any of the embodiments as described herein. For example, the present invention provides synthetic methods and intermediates useful for the large scale preparation of N-[3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carbonyl]-2,4-difluoro-phenyl]propane-1-sulfonamides or propane-1-sulfonic acid {3-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carbonyl]-2,4-difluorophenyl}-amides. Advantageously, the present invention provides synthetic intermediates and versatile processes, which allow for high efficiency, low cost and large-scale facile synthesis of biologically active molecules including vemurafenib with high purity. The intermediates of the present invention can be readily adapted to the facile preparation of various compounds having core structure (aa).

DEFINITIONS

It is noted here that as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

“Halogen” or “halo” refers to all halogens, that is, chloro (Cl), fluoro (F), bromo (Br), or iodo (I).

“Hydroxyl” or “hydroxy” refers to the group —OH.

“Thiol” refers to the group —SH.

The term “alkyl”, by itself or as part of another substituent, means, unless otherwise stated, a straight or branched chain hydrocarbon, having the number of carbon atoms designated (i.e. C₁₋₆ means one to six carbons). Representative alkyl groups include straight and branched chain alkyl groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 carbon atoms. Further representative alkyl groups include straight and branched chain alkyl groups having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 carbon atoms. Examples of alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, and the like. For each of the definitions herein (e.g., alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkylthio, alkylene, haloalkyl, arylalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl), when a prefix is not included to indicate the number of carbon atoms in an alkyl portion, the alkyl moiety or portion thereof will have 12 or fewer main chain carbon atoms or 8 or fewer main chain carbon atoms or 6 or fewer main chain carbon atoms. For example, C₁₋₈ alkyl refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms and includes, but are not limited to, C₁₋₂ alkyl, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₈ alkyl, C₁₋₇ alkyl, C₂₋₇ alkyl and C₃₋₆ alkyl. “Fluoro substituted alkyl” denotes an alkyl group substituted with one or more fluoro atoms, such as perfluoroalkyl, where preferably the lower alkyl is substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 fluoro atoms, also 1, 2, or 3 fluoro atoms. While it is understood that substitutions are attached at any available atom to produce a stable compound, when optionally substituted alkyl is an R group of a moiety such as —OR (e.g. alkoxy), —SR (e.g. thioalkyl), —NHR (e.g. alkylamino), —C(O)NHR, and the like, substitution of the alkyl R group is such that substitution of the alkyl carbon bound to any O, S, or N of the moiety (except where N is a heteroaryl ring atom) excludes substituents that would result in any O, S, or N of the substituent (except where N is a heteroaryl ring atom) being bound to the alkyl carbon bound to any O, S, or N of the moiety.

The term “alkylene” by itself or as part of another substituent means a linear or branched saturated divalent hydrocarbon moiety derived from an alkane having the number of carbon atoms indicated in the prefix. For example, (i.e., C₁₋₆ means one to six carbons; C₁₋₆ alkylene is meant to include methylene, ethylene, propylene, 2-methylpropylene, pentylene, hexylene and the like). C₁₋₄ alkylene includes methylene —CH₂—, ethylene —CH₂CH₂—, propylene —CH₂CH₂CH₂—, and isopropylene —CH(CH₃)CH₂—, —CH₂CH(CH₃)—, —CH₂—(CH₂)₂CH₂—, —CH₂—CH(CH₃)CH₂—, —CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—, —CH₂—CH₂CH(CH₃)—. Typically, an alkyl (or alkylene) group will have from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, with those groups having 10 or fewer, 8 or fewer, or 6 or fewer carbon atoms being preferred in the present invention. When a prefix is not included to indicate the number of carbon atoms in an alkylene portion, the alkylene moiety or portion thereof will have 12 or fewer main chain carbon atoms or 8 or fewer main chain carbon atoms, 6 or fewer main chain carbon atoms or 4 or fewer main chain carbon atoms.

“Cycloalkylalkyl” refers to an -(alkylene)-cycloalkyl group where alkylene as defined herein has the indicated number of carbon atoms or if unspecified having six or fewer, preferably four or fewer main chain carbon atoms; and cycloalkyl is as defined herein has the indicated number of carbon atoms. C₃₋₈cycloalkyl-C₁₋₂alkyl means C₃₋₈cycloalkyl-C₁₋₂alkylene, wherein the cycloalkyl has 3 to 8 ring carbon atoms and the alkylene has 1 or 2 carbon atoms. Exemplary cycloalkylalkyl include, e.g., cyclopropylmethylene, cyclobutylethylene, cyclobutylmethylene, and the like.

“Cycloalkyl” by itself or as part of another substituent, refers to saturated or unsaturated, non-aromatic monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic carbon ring systems of 3-10, also 3-8, more preferably 3-6, ring members per ring, such as cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, 1-cyclohexenyl, adamantyl, and the like. Cycloalkyl refers to hydrocarbon rings having the indicated number of ring atoms (e.g., C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl means three to eight ring carbon atoms).

“Haloalkyl,” is meant to include alkyl substituted by one to seven halogen atoms. Haloalkyl includes monohaloalkyl and polyhaloalkyl. For example, the term “C₁₋₆haloalkyl” is meant to include trifluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 4-chlorobutyl, 3-bromopropyl, and the like.

“Haloalkoxy” refers to a —O-haloalkyl group, where haloalkyl is as defined herein, e.g., trifluoromethoxy, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy, difluoromethoxy, and the like.

“Alkoxy” refers to a —O-alkyl group, where alkyl is as defined herein. “Cycloalkoxy” refers to a —O-cycloalkyl group, where cycloalkyl is as defined herein. “Fluoro substituted alkoxy” denotes alkoxy in which the alkyl is substituted with one or more fluoro atoms, where preferably the alkoxy is substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 fluoro atoms, also 1, 2, or 3 fluoro atoms. While it is understood that substitutions on alkoxy are attached at any available atom to produce a stable compound, substitution of alkoxy is such that O, S, or N (except where N is a heteroaryl ring atom), are not bound to the alkyl carbon bound to the alkoxy O. Further, where alkoxy is described as a substituent of another moiety, the alkoxy oxygen is not bound to a carbon atom that is bound to an O, S, or N of the other moiety (except where N is a heteroaryl ring atom), or to an alkene or alkyne carbon of the other moiety.

“Amino” or “amine” denotes the group —NH₂.

“Alkylamino” refers to a —NH-alkyl group, where alkyl is as defined herein. Exemplary alkylamino groups include CH₃NH—, ethylamino, and the like.

“Dialkylamino” refers to a —N(alkyl)(alkyl) group, where each alkyl is independently as defined herein. Exemplary dialkylamino groups include dimethylamino, diethylamino, ethylmethylamino, and the like.

“Cycloalkylamino” denotes the group —NR^(dd)R^(ee), where R^(dd) and R^(ee) combine with the nitrogen to form a 5-7 membered heterocycloalkyl ring, where the heterocycloalkyl may contain an additional heteroatom within the ring, such as O, N, or S, and may also be further substituted with alkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl or R′ as defined herein. Alternatively, “cycloalkylamino” refers to a —NH-cycloalkyl group, where cycloalkyl is as defined herein.

“Arylamino” refers to a —NH-aryl group, where aryl is as defined herein. Exemplary arylamino groups include PhNH—, naphthylamino, and the like.

“Heteroarylamino” refers to a —NH-heteroaryl group, where heteroaryl is as defined herein. Exemplary heteroarylamino groups include pyridinyl-NH—, pyrimidinyl-amino, and the like.

“Aryl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to a monocyclic, bicyclic or polycyclic polyunsaturated aromatic hydrocarbon moiety containing 6 to 14 ring carbon atoms. Non-limiting examples of unsubstituted aryl groups include phenyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl and 4-biphenyl. Exemplary aryl group, such as phenyl or naphthyl, which may be optionally fused with a cycloalkyl of preferably 5-7, more preferably 5-6, ring members.

“Arylalkyl” refers to -(alkylene)-aryl, where the alkylene group is as defined herein and has the indicated number of carbon atoms, or if unspecified having six or fewer main chain carbon atoms or four or fewer main chain carbon atoms; and aryl is as defined herein. For example, aryl-C₁₋₂alkyl means aryl-alkylene-, where the alkylene has 1 or 2 carbon atoms. Examples of arylalkyl include benzyl, phenethyl, and the like.

“Heteroaryl” by itself or as part of another substituent refers to a monocyclic aromatic ring structure containing 5 or 6 ring atoms, or a bicyclic aromatic group having 8 to 10 atoms, containing one or more, preferably 1-4, more preferably 1-3, even more preferably 1-2, heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of O, S, and N. Heteroaryl is also intended to include oxidized S or N, such as sulfinyl, sulfonyl and N-oxide of a tertiary ring nitrogen. A carbon or nitrogen atom is the point of attachment of the heteroaryl ring structure such that a stable compound is produced. Examples of heteroaryl groups include, but are not limited to, pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, indolizinyl, benzo[b]thienyl, quinazolinyl, purinyl, indolyl, quinolinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, isoxazolyl, oxathiadiazolyl, isothiazolyl, tetrazolyl, imidazolyl, triazolyl, furanyl, benzofuryl, indolyl, triazinyl, quinoxalinyl, cinnolinyl, phthalaziniyl, benzotriazinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzopyrazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, isobenzofuryl, isoindolyl, indolizinyl, benzotriazinyl, thienopyridinyl, thienopyrimidinyl, pyrazolopyrimidinyl, imidazopyridines, benzothiaxolyl, benzothienyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, indazolyl, pteridinyl and thiadiazolyl. “Nitrogen containing heteroaryl” refers to heteroaryl wherein any heteroatoms are N.

“Heteroarylalkyl” refers to -(alkylene)-heteroaryl, where the alkylene group is as defined herein and has the indicated number of carbon atoms, or if unspecified having six or fewer main chain carbon atoms or four or fewer main chain carbon atoms; and heteroaryl is as defined herein. For example, heteroaryl-C₁₋₂alkyl means heteroaryl-alkylene-, where the alkylene has 1 or 2 carbon atoms. Examples of heteroarylalkyl include 2-pyridylmethyl, 2-thiazolylethyl, and the like.

“Heterocycloalkyl” refers to a saturated or unsaturated non-aromatic cycloalkyl group that contains from one to five heteroatoms selected from N, O, and S, wherein the nitrogen and sulfur atoms are optionally oxidized, and the nitrogen atom(s) are optionally quaternized, the remaining ring atoms being C, where one or two C atoms may optionally be replaced by a carbonyl. The heterocycloalkyl may be a monocyclic, a bicyclic or a polycylic ring system of 3 to 12, preferably 4 to 10 ring atoms, more preferably 5 to 8 ring atoms, even more preferably 4-6 ring atoms in which one to five ring atoms are heteroatoms selected from —N═, —N—, —O—, —S—, —S(O)—, or —S(O)₂— and further wherein one or two ring atoms are optionally replaced by a —C(O)— group. The heterocycloalkyl can also be a heterocyclic alkyl ring fused with a cycloalkyl, an aryl or a heteroaryl ring. Non limiting examples of heterocycloalkyl groups include pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, butyrolactam moiety, valerolactam moiety, imidazolidinone moiety, hydantoin, dioxolane moiety, phthalimide moiety, piperidine, 1,4-dioxane moiety, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl-S-oxide, thiomorpholinyl-S,S-oxide, piperazinyl, pyranyl, pyridine moiety, 3-pyrrolinyl, thiopyranyl, pyrone moiety, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, quinuclidinyl, and the like. A heterocycloalkyl group can be attached to the remainder of the molecule through a ring carbon or a heteroatom.

“Heterocycloalkylalkyl” refers to -(alkylene)-heterocycloalkyl, where the alkylene group is as defined herein and has the indicated number of carbon atoms, or if unspecified having six or fewer main chain carbon atoms or four or fewer main chain carbon atoms; and heterocycloalkyl is as defined herein. Examples of heterocycloalkylalkyl include 2-pyridylmethyl, 2-thiazolylethyl, and the like.

The substituents for alkyl, alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkylene, vinyl include, but are not limited to, R′, halogen, —OH, —NH₂, —NO₂, —CN, —C(O)OH, —C(S)OH, —C(O)NH₂, —C(S)NH₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(S)NH₂, —NHS(O)₂NH₂, —C(NH)NH₂, —OR′, —SR′, —OC(O)R′, —OC(S)R′, —C(O)R′, —C(S)R′, —C(O)OR′, —C(S)OR′, —S(O)R′, —S(O)₂R′, —C(O)NHR′, —C(S)NHR′, —C(O)NR′R″, —C(S)NR′R″, —S(O)₂NHR′, —S(O)₂NR′R″, —C(NH)NHR′, —C(NH)NR′R″, —NHC(O)R′, —NHC(S)R′, —NR″C(O)R′, —NR′C(S)R″, —NHS(O)₂R′, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —NHC(O)NHR′, —NHC(S)NHR′, —NR′C(O)NH₂, —NR′C(S)NH₂, —NR′C(O)NHR″, —NR′C(S)NHR″, —NHC(O)NR′R″, —NHC(S)NR′R″, —NR′C(O)NR″R′″, —NR′″C(S)NR′R″, —NHS(O)₂NHR′, —NR′S(O)₂NH₂, —NR′S(O)₂NHR″, —NHS(O)₂NR′R″, —NR′S(O)₂NR″R′″, —NHR′, and —NR′R″ in a number ranging from zero to (2m′+1), where m′ is the total number of carbon atoms in such group. R′, R″ and R′″ each independently refer to hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, aryl substituted with 1-3 halogens, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy or C₁₋₈ thioalkoxy groups, or unsubstituted aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl groups. When R′ and R″ are attached to the same nitrogen atom, they can be combined with the nitrogen atom to form a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, or 7-membered ring. For example, —NR′R″ is meant to include 1-pyrrolidinyl and 4-morpholinyl. R′, R″ and R′″ can be further substituted with R^(a1), halogen, —OH, —NH₂, —NO₂, —CN, —C(O)OH, —C(S)OH, —C(O)NH₂, —C(S)NH₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(S)NH₂, —NHS(O)₂NH₂, —C(NH)NH₂, —OR^(a1), —SR^(a1), —OC(O)R^(a1), —OC(S)R^(a1), —C(O)R^(a1), —C(S)R^(a1), —C(O)OR^(a1), —C(S)OR^(a1), —S(O)R^(a1), —S(O)₂R^(a1), —C(O)NHR^(a1), —C(S)NHR^(a1), —C(O)NR^(a1)R^(a2), —C(S)NR^(a1)R^(a2), —S(O)₂NHR^(a1), —S(O)₂NR^(a1)R^(a2), —C(NH)NHR^(a1), —C(NH)NR^(a1)R^(a2), —NHC(O)R^(a1), —NHC(S)R^(a1), —NR^(a2)C(O)R^(a1), —NR^(a1)C(S)R^(a2), —NHS(O)₂R^(a1), —NR^(a1)S(O)₂R^(a2), —NHC(O)NHR^(a1), —NHC(S)NHR^(a1), —NR^(a1)C(O)NH₂, —NR^(a1)C(S)NH₂, —NR^(a1)C(O)NHR^(a2), —NR^(a1)C(S)NHR^(a2), —NHC(O)NR^(a1)R^(a2), —NHC(S)NR^(a1)R^(a2), —NR^(a1)C(O)NR^(a2)R^(a3), —NR^(a3)C(S)NR^(a1)R^(a2), —NHS(O)₂NHR^(a1), —NR^(a1)S(O)₂NH₂, —NR^(a1)S(O)₂NHR^(a2), —NHS(O)₂NR^(a1)R^(a2), —NR^(a1)S(O)₂NR^(a2)R^(a3), —NHR^(a1), and —NR^(a1)R^(a2) in a number ranging from zero to (2n′+1), where n′ is the total number of carbon atoms in such group. R^(a1), R^(a2) and R each independently refer to hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, aryl substituted with 1-3 halogens, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy or C₁₋₈ thioalkoxy groups, or unsubstituted aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl groups. R^(a1), R^(a2) and R^(a3) can be further substituted with R^(b1), halogen, —OH, —NH₂, —NO₂, —CN, —C(O)OH, —C(S)OH, —C(O)NH₂, —C(S)NH₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(S)NH₂, —NHS(O)₂NH₂, —C(NH)NH₂, —OR^(b1), —SR^(b1), —OC(O)R^(b1), —OC(S)R^(b1), —C(O)R^(b1), —C(S)R^(b1), —C(O)OR^(b1), —C(S)OR^(b1), —S(O)R^(b1), —S(O)₂R^(b1), —C(O)NHR^(b1), —C(S)NHR^(b1), —C(O)NR^(b1)R^(b2), —C(S)NR^(b1)R^(b2), —S(O)₂NHR^(b1), —S(O)₂NR^(b1)R^(b2), —C(NH)NHR^(b1), —C(NH)NR^(b1)R^(b2), —NHC(O)R^(b1), —NHC(S)R^(b1), —NR^(b2)C(O)R^(b1), —NR^(b1)C(S)R^(b2), —NHS(O)₂R^(b1), —NR^(b1)S(O)₂R^(b2), —NHC(O)NHR^(b1), —NHC(S)NHR^(b1), —NR^(b1)C(O)NH₂, —NR^(b1)C(S)NH₂, —NR^(b1)C(O)NHR^(b2), —NR^(b1)C(S)NHR^(b2), —NHC(O)NR^(b1)R^(b2), —NHC(S)NR^(b1)R^(b2), —NR^(b1)C(O)NR^(b2)R^(b3), —NR^(b3)C(S)NR^(b1)R^(b2), —NHS(O)₂NHR^(b1), —NR^(b1)S(O)₂NH₂, —NR^(b1)S(O)₂NHR^(b2), —NHS(O)₂NR^(b1)R^(b2), —NR^(b1)S(O)₂NR^(b2)R^(b3), —NHR^(b1), and —NR^(b1)R^(b2) in a number ranging from zero to (2p′+1), where p′ is the total number of carbon atoms in such group. R^(b1), R^(b2) and R^(b3) each independently refer to hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, aryl substituted with 1-3 halogens, C₁₋₈ alkoxy, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy or C₁₋₈ thioalkoxy groups, or unsubstituted aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl groups.

Substituents for the aryl and heteroaryl groups are varied and are generally selected from: R′, halogen, —OH, —NH₂, —NO₂, —CN, —C(O)OH, —C(S)OH, —C(O)NH₂, —C(S)NH₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(S)NH₂, —NHS(O)₂NH₂, —C(NH)NH₂, —OR′, —SR′, —OC(O)R′, —OC(S)R′, —C(O)R′, —C(S)R′, —C(O)OR′, —C(S)OR′, —S(O)R′, —S(O)₂R′, —C(O)NHR′, —C(S)NHR′, —C(O)NR′R″, —C(S)NR′R″, —S(O)₂NHR′, —S(O)₂NR′R″, —C(NH)NHR′, —C(NH)NR′R″, —NHC(O)R′, —NHC(S)R′, —NR″C(O)R′, —NR′C(S)R″, —NHS(O)₂R′, —NR′S(O)₂R″, —NHC(O)NHR′, —NHC(S)NHR′, —NR′C(O)NH₂, —NR′C(S)NH₂, —NR′C(O)NHR″, —NR′C(S)NHR″, —NHC(O)NR′R″, —NHC(S)NR′R″, —NR′C(O)NR″R′″, —NR′″C(S)NR′R″, —NHS(O)₂NHR′, —NR′S(O)₂NH₂, —NR′S(O)₂NHR″, —NHS(O)₂NR′R″, —NR′S(O)₂NR″R′″, —NHR′, —NR′R″, —N₃, perfluoro(C₁-C₄)alkoxy, and perfluoro(C₁-C₄)alkyl, in a number ranging from zero to the total number of open valences on the aromatic ring system; and where R′, R″ and R′″ are independently selected from hydrogen, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, C₂₋₈ alkenyl, C₂₋₈ alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, and aryloxy-C₁₋₄ alkyl. Other suitable substituents include each of the above aryl substituents attached to a ring atom by an alkylene tether of from 1-4 carbon atoms. R′, R″ and R′″ can be further substituted with R^(a1), halogen, —OH, —NH₂, —NO₂, —CN, —C(O)OH, —C(S)OH, —C(O)NH₂, —C(S)NH₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(S)NH₂, —NHS(O)₂NH₂, —C(NH)NH₂, —OR^(a1), —SR^(a1), —OC(O)R^(a1), —OC(S)R^(a1), —C(O)R^(a1), —C(S)R^(a1), —C(O)OR^(a1), —C(S)OR^(a1), —S(O)R^(a1), —S(O)₂R^(a1), —C(O)NHR^(a1), —C(S)NHR^(a1), —C(O)NR^(a1)R^(a2), —C(S)NR^(a1)R^(a2), —S(O)₂NHR^(a1), —S(O)₂NR^(a1)R^(a2), —C(NH)NHR^(a1), —C(NH)NR^(a1)R^(a2), —NHC(O)R^(a1), —NHC(S)R^(a1), —NR^(a2)C(O)R^(a1), —NR^(a1)C(S)R^(a2), —NHS(O)₂R^(a1), —NR^(a1)S(O)₂R^(a2), —NHC(O)NHR^(a1), —NHC(S)NHR^(a1), —NR^(a1)C(O)NH₂, —NR^(a1)C(S)NH₂, —NR^(a1)C(O)NHR^(a2), —NR^(a1)C(S)NHR^(a2), —NHC(O)NR^(a1)R^(a2), —NHC(S)NR^(a1)R^(a2), —NR^(a1)C(O)NR^(a2)R^(a3), —NR^(a3)C(S)NR^(a1)R^(a2), —NHS(O)₂NHR^(a1), —NR^(a1)S(O)₂NH₂, —NR^(a1)S(O)₂NHR^(a2), —NHS(O)₂NR^(a1)R^(a2), —NR^(a1)S(O)₂NR^(a2)R^(a3), —NHR^(a1), —NR^(a1)R^(a2), —N₃, perfluoro(C₁-C₄)alkoxy, and perfluoro(C₁-C₄)alkyl, in a number ranging from zero to the total number of open valences on the aromatic ring system; and where R^(a1), R^(a2) and R^(a3) are each independently selected from hydrogen, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, C₂₋₈ alkenyl, C₂₋₈ alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, aryl-C₁₋₄ alkyl, or aryloxy-C₁₋₄ alkyl. Other suitable substituents include each of the above aryl substituents attached to a ring atom by an alkylene tether of from 1-4 carbon atoms.

When two substituents are present on adjacent atoms of a substituted aryl or a substituted heteroaryl ring, such substituents may optionally be replaced with a substituent of the formula -T-C(O)—(CH₂)_(q)—U—, wherein T and U are independently —NH—, —O—, —CH₂— or a single bond, and q is an integer of from 0 to 2. Alternatively, when two substituents are present on adjacent atoms of a substituted aryl or a substituted heteroaryl ring, such substituents may optionally be replaced with a substituent of the formula -A-(CH₂)_(r)—B—, wherein A and B are independently —CH₂—, —O—, —NH—, —S—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —S(O)₂NR′— or a single bond, and r is an integer of from 1 to 3. One of the single bonds of the new ring so formed may optionally be replaced with a double bond. Alternatively, when two substituents are present on adjacent atoms of a substituted aryl or a substituted heteroaryl ring, such substituents may optionally be replaced with a substituent of the formula —(CH₂)_(s)—X—(CH₂)_(t)—, where s and t are independently integers of from 0 to 3, and X is —O—, —NR′—, —S—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, or —S(O)₂NR′—. The substituent R′ in —NR′— and —S(O)₂NR′— is selected from hydrogen or unsubstituted C₁₋₆ alkyl.

“Protecting group” refers to a grouping of atoms that when attached to a reactive group in a molecule masks, reduces or prevents that reactivity. Examples of protecting groups can be found in T. W. Greene and P. G. Wuts, PROTECTIVE GROUPS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, (Wiley, 4th ed. 2006), Beaucage and Iyer, Tetrahedron 48:2223-2311 (1992), and Harrison and Harrison et al., COMPENDIUM OF SYNTHETIC ORGANIC METHODS, Vols. 1-8 (John Wiley and Sons. 1971-1996). Representative amino protecting groups include formyl, acetyl, trifluoroacetyl, benzyl, benzyloxycarbonyl (CBZ), tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc), trimethyl silyl (TMS), 2-trimethylsilyl-ethanesulfonyl (SES), trityl and substituted trityl groups, allyloxycarbonyl, 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (FMOC), nitro-veratryloxycarbonyl (NVOC), tri-isopropylsilyl (TIPS), phenylsulphonyl and the like (see also, Boyle, A. L. (Editor), carbamates, amides, N-sulfonyl derivatives, groups of formula —C(O)OR, wherein R is, for example, methyl, ethyl, t-butyl, benzyl, phenylethyl, CH₂═CHCH₂—, and the like, groups of the formula —C(O)R′, wherein R′ is, for example, methyl, phenyl, trifluoromethyl, and the like, groups of the formula —SO₂R″, wherein R″ is, for example, tolyl, phenyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman-6-yl, 2,3,6-trimethyl-4-methoxyphenyl, and the like, and silanyl containing groups, such as 2-trimethylsilylethoxymethyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, triisopropylsilyl, and the like, CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN NUCLEIC ACID CHEMISTRY, John Wiley and Sons, New York, Volume 1, 2000).

The term “Labile protecting group” refers to those protecting groups that are removable under mild conditions that do not significantly impact other protecting groups or the remainder of the molecule.

The term “Leaving group” has the meaning conventionally associated with it in synthetic organic chemistry, i.e., an atom or a group capable of being displaced by a nucleophile and includes halo (such as chloro, bromo, and iodo), alkanesulfonyloxy, arenesulfonyloxy, alkylcarbonyloxy (e.g., acetoxy), arylcarbonyloxy, mesyloxy, tosyloxy, trifluoromethanesulfonyloxy, aryloxy (e.g., 2,4-dinitrophenoxy), methoxy, N,O-dimethylhydroxylamino, and the like.

Compounds

In one aspect, the present invention provides a compound of formula (I):

wherein the substituents P¹, P², L¹ and Q are as defined in the Summary of the Invention. In one embodiment, P¹ is H. The compounds of formula (I) are useful intermediates for the synthesis of various biologically active molecules, for example, compounds of formula (III):

wherein Y is optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted heteroaryl; Z is optionally substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, optionally substituted alkylamino, optionally substituted dialkylamino, optionally substituted cycloalkylamino, optionally substituted arylamino, optionally substituted heteroarylamino or NH₂. Q is H or F. In one embodiment, Q is F.

In certain embodiments of compounds of formula (I), P¹ can be selectively removed in the presence of the P² group. Selective cleavage of P¹ can be accomplished by adjusting the reaction conditions, such as temperature, pH, reaction time and so forth. In some embodiments, P¹ is a labile amino protecting group. Exemplary labile protecting group includes 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, t-butoxycarbonyl, trimethylsilyl or t-butyldiphenylsilyl. In a preferred embodiment, P¹ is H.

In certain embodiments of compounds of formula (I), P² is an amino protecting group, which is capable of forming a carbamate or an amide linkage with the amino group to which it is attached. In some embodiments, P² is an amino protecting group selected from R³—C(O)— or R⁴O—C(O)—, wherein R³ and R⁴ are each independently selected from C₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C₁₋₂alkyl, heteroaryl-C₁₋₂alkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl-C₁₋₂alkyl, ethynyl or vinyl, each of which is optionally substituted. In certain instances, R³ and R⁴ are each independently selected from C₁₋₆alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryl-C₁₋₂alkyl, heteroaryl-C₁₋₂alkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl-C₁₋₂alkyl, ethynyl or vinyl, each of which is optionally substituted with 1-3 R^(a) groups independently selected from halogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆haloalkyl, C₁₋₆haloalkoxy, fluoro substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, fluoro substituted C₁₋₆alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, —CN, —NO₂, —OH, C₁₋₆alkyl-OC(O)—, C₁₋₆alkyl-C(O)O— or —SiMe₃, wherein the aliphatic or aromatic portion of R^(a) is further optionally substituted with from 1-3 R^(b) groups independently selected from halogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkoxy, —CN, —NO₂ or —OH. In other instances, R³ and R⁴ are each independently methyl, ethyl, phenyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl, (CH₃)₂CHC≡C—, 2-trimethylsilylethyl, 1-methyl-1-phenylethyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopropyl, allyl, vinyl, 1-adamantyl, benzyl or diphenylmethyl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-3 R^(a) groups. In some embodiments, R^(a) is F, Cl, Br, I, —CH₃, Phenyl, t-butyl, MeO—, —NO₂, —CN, —CF₃, CF₃O—, —OH or —CH═CH₂. In one embodiment, P² is 2,6-dichlorophenylcarbonyl. In another embodiment, P² is 2,5-dichlorophenylcarbonyl, 2,3-dichlorophenylcarbonyl or 2,4-dichlorophenylcarbonyl. In certain embodiments, P² is phenylcarbonyl optionally substituted with from 1-2 groups independently selected from F, Cl, Br, CN or NO₂. In some embodiments of compounds of formula (I), P² is H. All the other variables L¹, P¹ and Q are as defined in any of the embodiments described herein.

In some embodiments of compounds of formula (I), L¹ is Br, Cl, I, tosyl-O—, mesyl-O—, trifluoromethanesulfonyl-O—, R¹—SO₂O— or R²C(O)O, wherein R¹ and R² are each independently selected from aryl, aryl-C₁₋₄alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-3 R^(c) substituents selected from halogen, —CH═CH₂, —CN, —OH, —NH₂, —NO₂, —C(O)OH, —C(O)NH₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(S)NH₂, —NHS(O)₂NH₂, —C(NH)NH₂, —OR^(d), —SR^(d), —OC(O)R^(d), —C(O)R^(d), —C(O)OR^(d), —C(S)OR^(d), —S(O)R^(d), —S(O)₂R^(d), —C(O)NHR^(d), —C(O)NR^(d)R^(d), —S(O)₂NHR^(d), —S(O)₂NR^(d)R^(d), —C(NH)NHR^(d), —C(NH)NR^(d)R^(d), —NHC(O)R^(d), —NR^(d)C(O)R^(d), —NHS(O)₂R^(d), —NR^(d)S(O)₂R^(d), —NHC(O)NHR^(d), —NHR^(d) or —NR^(d)R^(d), wherein each R^(d) is independently selected from C₁₋₆alkyl or aryl. In some instances, R^(d) is —CH₃, ethyl or phenyl. In some embodiments, L¹ is Br, Cl, I, tosyl-O—, mesyl-O—, trifluoromethanesulfonyl-O—, CF₃C(O)O— or CH₃C(O)O—. In one embodiment, L¹ is Br or Cl. All the other variables, P¹, P² and Q are as defined in any of the embodiments described herein.

In one embodiment of compounds of formula (I), P¹ is H; and Q is F. In another embodiment, P¹ and Q are H. In yet another embodiment, P¹ is H; L¹ is Br or Cl; and Q is F. In a preferred embodiment of compounds of formula (I), L¹ is Br or Cl; P¹ is H; and P² is 2,6-dichlorophenylcarbonyl.

Methods

In another aspect, the present invention provide a method for preparing a compound of formulas (I) and (Ia). The method comprises contacting/reacting a compound of formula (II):

with an agent of the formula: P²—X¹ under conditions sufficient to form the compound of formula (Ia):

and contacting/reacting a compound of formula (Ia) with an agent of the formula: P¹—X³ under conditions sufficient to form the compound of formula (I). Alternatively, compound of formula (I) can also be prepared by first reacting a compound of formula (II) with an agent of the formula: P¹—X³ to form an intermediate product, followed by reacting the intermediate product with an agent of the formula: P²—X¹. X¹ is selected from Br, Cl, I, tosyl-O—, mesyl-O—, trifluoromethanesulfonyl-O—, CF₃C(O)O— or CH₃C(O)O—. X³ is a leaving group. In one embodiment, X³ is Cl, Br, I, tosyl-O—, mesyl-O, CF₃S(O)₂O—, CF₃C(O)O— or CH₃C(O)O—. P¹ is a labile protecting group. In one embodiment, P¹ is 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, t-butoxycarbonyl, trimethylsilyl or t-butyldiphenylsilyl. In one embodiment, P² is H. In another embodiment, P² is an amino protecting group as found in T. W. Greene and P. G. Wuts, PROTECTIVE GROUPS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, (Wiley, 4th ed. 2006) or as defined in any of the embodiments described herein. Q is H or F. L¹ is Br, Cl, I, R¹—SO₂O— or R²C(O)O, wherein R¹ and R² are each independently optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted C₁₋₆alkyl. In some embodiments, R¹ and R² are each independently selected from aryl, aryl-C₁₋₄alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-3 R^(c) substituents, wherein each R^(d) is independently selected from C₁₋₆alkyl or aryl. In some instances, R^(d) is —CH₃, ethyl or phenyl. In some embodiments, L¹ is Br, Cl, I, tosyl-O—, mesyl-O—, trifluoromethanesulfonyl-O—, CF₃C(O)O— or CH₃C(O)O—. In a preferred embodiment, L¹ is Br or Cl.

In some embodiments, the reactions for preparing compounds of formulas (I) or (Ia) can be carried out in the presence of a base dissolved in an organic solvent. Some preferred bases include dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), triethylamine (TEA), N,N-diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) and combinations thereof. DMAP is generally present in a catalytic amount of about 0.05, 0.07, 0.08, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 or 0.5 equivalents. TEA or DIPEA can range from about 1-5 equivalents, for example, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 or 5.0 equivalents. The organic solvents used include, but are not limiting to, tetrahydrofuran (THF), 2-methyl-THF, acetonitrile, dichloromethane and benzene. A preferred solvent is 2-methyl-THF. The solvents can be present in various volumes, e.g., 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 12 volumes.

Compounds of formula (II) can be prepared by contacting a compound of formula (V):

with a reducing agent under conditions sufficient to form the compounds of formula (II). The variables, L¹ and Q are as defined in any of the embodiments described herein. In one embodiment, L¹ is Br and Q is F. The reducing agent may be, but is not limited to, tin chloride dihydrate (SnCl₂.2H₂O). Typically, 1-5 equivalents (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 eqs) of the reducing agent are used. The reaction can be carried out at a temperature of about 40-90° C., preferably about 50-70° C., more preferably about 60° C. The solvents for the reaction can be 2-methyl-THF or a mixture of 1:1 ethyl acetate/THF. The volumes of the solvents can be from about 5 to 100 or about 7 to 80. In one embodiment, a compound of formula (V) is treated with 3 or 4 equivalents of SnCl₂ in 80 volumes of 1; 1 ethyl acetate/THF or 7 volumes of 2-methyl THF at 60° C.

Compounds of formula (V) can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (VI):

with a compound of formula (VII):

in the presence of a metal halide, such as AlCl₃ under conditions sufficient to form the compounds of formula (V). X² is selected from Br, Cl, I, tosyl-O—, mesyl-O—, trifluoromethanesulfonyl-O—, CF₃C(O)O— or CH₃C(O)O—. The variables, L¹ and Q are as defined in any of the embodiments described herein. In a preferred embodiment, X² is Br or Cl. In one embodiment, Q is F, L¹ is Br and X² is Cl. The solvents used in the reaction include, but are not limited to, CH₃NO₂, acetonitrile, dichloromethane, dichloroethane, benzene, toluene and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the solvent is dichloroethane.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing a compound of formula (III):

In one embodiment, the method comprises coupling, sulfonylation and deprotection steps. For example, the method comprises:

-   (i) contacting a compound of formulas (I) or (Ia) with an agent of     the formula: Y—B(OR⁵)₂ (i.e., formula IVb) or the formula: Y—Sn(Bu)₃     (i.e., formula IVc) and a palladium or a nickel complex under     conditions sufficient to form a compound of formula (IV):

-   (ii) reacting a compound of formula (IV) with an agent of the     formula: A¹-S(O)₂—Z (i.e., formula IVa) under conditions sufficient     to form a compound of formula (IX):

and

-   (iii) removing the protecting group P² under conditions sufficient     to form the compound of formula (III).

Alternatively, the compounds of formula (III) can be prepared by carrying out sulfonylation reaction first, followed by Suzuki coupling and removing of the protecting group P². For example, the method comprises:

-   (i) contacting a compound of formula (I) with an agent of the     formula: A¹-S(O)₂—Z (i.e., formula IVa) under conditions sufficient     to form a compound of formula (VIII):

-   (ii) reacting a compound of formula (VIII) with an agent of the     formula (IVb): Y—B(OR⁵)₂ or formula (IVc): Y—Sn(Bu)₃ and a palladium     or a nickel complex under conditions sufficient to form a compound     of formula (IX); and -   (iii) removing the protecting group P² under conditions sufficient     to form the compound of formula (III), wherein:     -   Q is H or F;     -   P¹ and P² are as defined in any of the embodiments as described         herein;     -   R⁵ is —OH, C₁₋₆alkyl or two —OR⁵ substituents together with the         boron atom to which they are attached form an optionally         substituted 5 or 6-membered ring;     -   A¹ is a leaving group;     -   Y is optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted         heteroaryl; and     -   Z is —N(R⁶)(R⁷) or —C(R⁸)(R⁹)(R¹⁰); wherein:         -   R⁶ and R⁷ are each independently selected from the group             consisting of H, optionally substituted C₁₋₆alkyl,             optionally substituted C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, optionally             substituted C₃₋₈cycloalkylalkyl, optionally substituted             heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted             heterocycloalkylalkyl, optionally substituted aryl,             optionally substituted arylalkyl, optionally substituted             heteroaryl and optionally substituted heteroarylalkyl; or R⁶             and R⁷ taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they             are attached form a four to eight-membered ring having from             0-2 additional heteroatoms as ring members selected from N,             O or S, wherein the four to eight-membered ring is             optionally substituted; and         -   R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ are each independently H, optionally             substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, optionally substituted,             C₁₋₆haloalkyl, optionally substituted C₁₋₆haloalkoxy,             optionally substituted C₃₋₈cycloalkyl, optionally             substituted C₃₋₈cycloalkylalkyl, optionally substituted             aryl, optionally substituted arylalkyl, optionally             substituted heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted             heterocycloalkylalkyl, optionally substituted heteroaryl,             optionally substituted heteroarylalkyl or —X²R¹¹, wherein X²             is —NR¹², O or S; R¹² is H, C₁₋₆alkyl or aryl; and R¹¹ is H,             C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆haloalkyl, C₁₋₆haloalkoxy, C₃₋₈cycloalkyl,             C₃₋₈cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or             heteroarylalkyl, wherein R¹¹ is optionally substituted with             from 1 to 3 R^(e) substituents selected from halogen, —CN,             —CH═CH₂, —OH, —NH₂, —NO₂, —C(O)OH, —C(S)OH, —C(O)NH₂,             —C(S)NH₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(S)NH₂, —NHS(O)₂NH₂,             —C(NH)NH₂, —OR^(f), —SR^(f), —OC(O)R^(f), —OC(S)R^(f),             —C(O)R^(f), —C(S)R^(f), —C(O)OR^(f), —C(S)OR^(f),             —S(O)R^(f), —S(O)₂R^(f), —C(O)NHR^(f), —C(S)NHR^(f),             —C(O)NR^(f)R^(f), —C(S)NR^(f)R^(f), —S(O)₂NHR^(f),             —S(O)₂NR^(f)R^(f), —C(NH)NHR^(f), —C(NH)NR^(f)R^(f),             —NHC(O)R^(f), —NHC(S)R^(f), —NR^(f)C(O)R^(f),             —NR^(f)C(S)R^(f), —NHS(O)₂R^(f), —NR^(f)S(O)₂R^(f),             —NHC(O)NHR^(f), —NHC(S)NHR^(f), —NR^(f)C(O)NH₂,             —NR^(f)C(S)NH₂, —NR^(f)C(O)NHR^(f), —NR^(f)C(S)NHR^(f),             —NHC(O)NR^(f)R^(f), —NHC(S)NR^(f)R^(f),             —NR^(f)C(O)NR^(f)R^(f), —NR^(f)C(S)NR^(f)R^(f),             —NHS(O)₂NHR^(f), —NR^(f)S(O)₂NH₂, —NR^(f)S(O)₂NHR^(f),             —NHS(O)₂NR^(f)R^(f), —NR^(f)S(O)₂NR^(f)R^(f), —NHR^(f),             —NR^(f)R^(f) and R^(f), wherein R^(f) is C₁₋₆alkyl,             C₃₋₆cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl or aryl,             wherein R^(f) is optionally substituted with from 1-3 R^(g)             substituents selected from —CN, —CH═CH₂, —OH, —NH₂, —NO₂,             —C(O)OH, —C(S)OH, —C(O)NH₂, —C(S)NH₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, —NHC(O)NH₂,             —NHC(S)NH₂, —NHS(O)₂NH₂, —C(NH)NH₂, —OR^(h), —SR^(h),             —OC(O)R^(h), —OC(S)R^(h), —C(O)R^(h), —C(S)R^(h),             —C(O)OR^(h), —C(S)OR^(h), —S(O)R^(h), —S(O)₂R^(h),             —C(O)NHR^(h) or R^(h), wherein R^(h) is C₁₋₆alkyl; or any             two of the R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ groups taken together with the             carbon atom to which they are attached form a 3 to             8-membered optionally substituted non-aromatic ring having             from 0 to 2 heteroatoms selected from N, O or S. In some             instances, at each occurrence, at least two of the R⁸, R⁹             and R¹⁰ groups are not simultaneously hydrogen. In one             embodiment, Q is F. In another embodiment, Q is H. In yet             another embodiment, Y is 4-chlorophenyl; Z is propyl; Q is             F; R⁵ is —OH; P¹ is H; and P² is 2,6-dichlorophenylcarbonyl.

The agents Y—B(OR⁵)₂ (i.e., formula IVb) or Y—Sn(Bu)₃ (i.e., formula IVc) are either commercially available or can be readily prepared in accordance with the procedures described in the literature. In some embodiments, —B(OR⁵)₂ is:

In one embodiment, Y—B(OR⁵)₂ is Y—B(OH)₂. Y is as defined in any of the embodiments as described herein.

The agent A¹-S(O)₂—Z (i.e., formula IVa) is either commercially available or can be readily prepared in accordance with the procedures described in the literature. The leaving group A¹ can be Cl, Br, I, tosyl-O—, mesyl-O, CF₃S(O)₂O—, CF₃C(O)O— or CH₃C(O)O—. In one embodiment, A¹ is Cl.

In some embodiments of compounds of formula (III), Y is selected from phenyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 3-pyridazinyl, 4-pyridazinyl, 2-pyrimidinyl, 4-pyrimidinyl, 5-pyrimidinyl, 1-pyrrolyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl, 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl, 1-pyrazolyl, 2-pyrazolyl, 3-pyrazolyl, 2-oxazolyl, 4-oxazolyl, 5-oxazolyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, 3-isoxazolyl, 4-isoxazolyl, 5-isoxazolyl, 3-isothiazolyl, 4-isothiazolyl or 5-isothiazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-3 R^(e) groups; or 1-3 R^(f) groups; or 1-3 R^(g) groups; or 1-3 R^(h) groups. In certain instances, R^(e) is F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —OH, —CF₃, NH₂, CF₃O—, CH₃—, ethyl, CH₃O, EtO—, —NO₂, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropylamino, cyclopropylmethylamino, 1-cyanocyclopropyl, methylamino, dimethylamino, methylthio, acetoxy, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl, acetamido, 1-cyclopropylethyl, 2-cyclopropylethyl, 1-cyclopropylethylamino, 2-cyclopropylethylamino, 1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl, methylcarbamoyl, 1-carboxycyclopropyl, 1-carbamoylcyclopropyl, 1-methoxycarbonylcyclopropyl, 1-cyanoisopropyl, 1-hydroxycyclopropyl, 1-hydoxyisopropyl, cyclobutoxy, cyclopentoxy, cyclohexyloxy, 4-morpholino, 4-hydroxypiperidinyl, 1-piperidinyl, piperazinyl, 4-methylpiperazinyl, 4-t-butoxycarbonylpiperazinyl, azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, cyclopropylcarbamoyl, 5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl, 5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2yl, 5-dimethylamino-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2yl or 5-methylamino-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl. The other variables Q and Z are as defined in any of the embodiments as described herein.

In some embodiments of compounds of formula (III), Y is phenyl, 1-naphthyl or 2-naphthyl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-3 substituents selected from F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —OH, —CF₃, NH₂, CF₃O—, CH₃—, CH₃O, —NO₂, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropylamino, cyclopropylmethylamino, 1-cyanocyclopropyl, methylamino, dimethylamino, methylthio, acetoxy, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl, acetamido, 1-cyclopropylethyl, 2-cyclopropylethyl, 1-cyclopropylethylamino, 2-cyclopropylethylamino or 1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl or methylcarbamoyl. The other variables Q and Z are as defined in any of the embodiments as described herein.

In some embodiments of compounds of formula (III), Y is selected from 4-pyrimidinyl, 5-pyrimidinyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, 2-thiophenyl, 3-thiophenyl, 2-amino-quinazolin-5-yl, 2-amino-quinazolin-6-yl, 2-amino-quinazolin-6-yl, 2-amino-quinazolin-7-yl, 2-amino-quinazolin-8-yl, 2-oxo-6-indolinyl, 2-oxo-4-indolinyl, 2-oxo-5-indolinyl, 2-oxo-7-indolinyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 1H-indazol-4-yl, 1H-indazol-5-yl, 1H-indazol-6-yl or 1H-indazol-7-yl, each of which is substituted with from 1 to 2 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —OH, —CF₃, NH₂, CF₃O—, CH₃—, CH₃O, C₂H₅O—, —NO₂, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropylamino, cyclopropylmethylamino, 1-cyanocyclopropyl, 1-carboxycyclopropyl, 1-carbamoylcyclopropyl, 1-methoxycarbonylcyclopropyl, 1-cyanoisopropyl, 1-hydroxycyclopropyl, 1-hydoxyisopropyl, cyclobutoxy, cyclopentoxy, cyclohexyloxy, 4-morpholino, 4-hydroxypiperidinyl, 1-piperidinyl, piperazinyl, 4-methylpiperazinyl, 4-t-butoxycarbonylpiperazinyl, azetidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, cyclopropylcarbamoyl, 5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl, 5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2yl, 5-dimethylamino-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2yl, 5-methylamino-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl, methylamino, dimethylamino, methylthio, acetoxy, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl, acetamido, methylcarbamoyl, isopropyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-cyclopropylethyl, 2-cyclopropylethyl, 1-cyclopropylethylamino, 2-cyclopropylethylamino or 1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl. In certain instances, Y is 4-chlorophenyl. In other instances, Y is 4-pyrimidinyl or 5-pyrimidinyl, each of which optionally substituted with from 1, 2, or 3 substituents independently selected from F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —OH, —CF₃, NH₂, CF₃O—, CH₃—, CH₃O, —NO₂, cyclopropyl, 1-cyanocyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropylamino, cyclopropylmethylamino, methylamino, dimethylamino, methylthio, acetoxy, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl, acetamido, methylcarbamoyl, isopropyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-cyclopropylethyl, 2-cyclopropylethyl, 1-cyclopropylethylamino, 2-cyclopropylethylamino or 1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl. The other variables Q and Z are as defined in any of the embodiments as described herein.

In some embodiments of compounds of formula (III), Z is 1-azetindinyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperidinyl, 4-morpholinyl, 4-thiomorpholinyl, 3-oxazolidinyl, 3-thiazolidinyl, 2-isoxazolidinyl, 2-isothiazolidinyl, 1-pyrazolidinyl, 1-piperazinyl, 1-hexahydropyrimidinyl or 1-hexahydropyridazinyl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-3 R^(e) groups. In certain instances, R^(e) is F, CH₃, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, —CH₃, CH₃(CO)NH—, vinyl, propen-3-yl or CH₃(CO)(CH₃)N—. The other variables Q and Y are as defined in any of the embodiments as described herein.

In some embodiments of compounds of formula (III), Z is selected from 1-azetindinyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperidinyl, 4-morpholinyl, 4-thiomorpholinyl, 3-oxazolidinyl, 3-thiazolidinyl, 2-isoxazolidinyl, 2-isothiazolidinyl, 1-pyrazolidinyl, 1-piperazinyl, 1-hexahydropyrimidinyl or 1-hexahydropyridazinyl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-2 R^(i) substituents selected from F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —OH, —CF₃, NH₂, CF₃O—, CH₃—, CH₃O, —NO₂, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropylamino, cyclopropylmethylamino, 1-cyanocyclopropyl, methylamino, dimethylamino, methylthio, acetoxy, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl, acetamido, methylcarbamoyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 3-pyridylmethyl, 4-pyridylmethyl, 2-oxetanyl, 3-oxetanyl, 2-oxetanylmethyl, 3-oxetanylmethyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 2-pyrrolidinyl, 3-pyrrolidinyl, 2-tetrahydrothiophenyl, 3-tetrahydrothiophenyl, 4-morpholinyl, 2-morpholinyl or 3-morpholinyl. In certain instances, R^(i) is F, CH₃, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, —CH₃, CH₃(CO)NH—, vinyl, propen-3-yl or CH₃(CO)(CH₃)N—. The other variables Q and Y are as defined in any of the embodiments as described herein.

In some embodiments of compounds of formula (III), Z is C₁₋₆alkyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-3 R^(j) groups selected from F, —CN, —OH, —CF₃, NH₂, CF₃O—, CH₃—, CH₃O, —NO₂, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropylamino, cyclopropylmethylamino, 1-cyanocyclopropyl, methylamino, dimethylamino, methylthio, acetoxy, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl, acetamido, methylcarbamoyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 3-pyridylmethyl, 4-pyridylmethyl, 2-oxetanyl, 3-oxtetanyl, 2-oxetanylmethyl, 3-oxetanylmethyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 2-pyrrolidinyl, 3-pyrrolidinyl, 2-tetrahydrothiophenyl, 3-tetrahydrothiophenyl, 4-morpholinyl, 2-morpholinyl or 3-morpholinyl. In one embodiment, Z is propyl. The other variables Q and Y are as defined in any of the embodiments as described herein.

In some embodiments of compounds of formula (III), Z is selected from the group consisting of cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, 1-azetindinyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperidinyl, 4-morpholinyl, 4-thiomorpholinyl 3-oxazolidinyl, 3-thiazolidinyl, 2-isoxazolidinyl, 2-isothiazolidinyl, 1-pyrazolidinyl, 1-piperazinyl, 1-hexahydropyrimidinyl, 1-hexahydropyridazinyl, (CH₃)(CF₃CH₂)N—, cyclopropylmethylamino, sec-butyl, pentan-2-yl and pentan-3-yl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-2 R^(k) groups selected from F, Cl, Br, I, —CN, —OH, —CF₃, NH₂, CF₃O—, CH₃—, CH₃O, —NO₂, cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopropylamino, cyclopropylmethylamino, 1-cyanocyclopropyl, methylamino, dimethylamino, methylthio, acetoxy, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl, acetamido, methylcarbamoyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 3-pyridylmethyl, 4-pyridylmethyl, 2-oxetanyl, 3-oxtetanyl, 2-oxetanylmethyl, 3-oxetanylmethyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, 2-pyrrolidinyl, 3-pyrrolidinyl, 2-tetrahydrothiophenyl, 3-tetrahydrothiophenyl, 4-morpholinyl, 2-morpholinyl or 3-morpholinyl. In one instance, R^(k) is —F, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, —CH₃, CH₃(CO)NH—, vinyl, propen-3-yl or CH₃(CO)(CH₃)N—. In another instance, R^(k) is —F, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, —CH₃, CH₃(CO)NH— or CH₃(CO)(CH₃)N—. In yet another instance, R^(k) is vinyl or propen-3-yl. The other variables Q and Y are as defined in any of the embodiments as described herein.

Various palladium or nickel complexes can be used for the preparation of compounds of formula (III). Preferably, palladium phosphine complexes are used in the reaction. The palladium complexes include, but are not limited to, Pd(PPh₃)₄, PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂, bis[1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane]palladium, bis(tri-t-butylphosphine)palladium, diacetobis(triphenylphosphine)palladium, tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (Pd₂(dba)2), Pd(OAc)₂, dichloro[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]palladium(II), and dichloro[1,1′-bis(di-i-propyl-phosphino)ferrocene]palladium (II). In one embodiment, the palladium complex is PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂. The palladium complexes can be present between 0.01 and 0.1 equivalents, e.g., about 0.01, 0.02, 0.025, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09 or 0.1 equivalents. Exemplary nickel complexes include, but are not limited to, NiCl₂(dppf), bis(tricyclohexylphosphine) nickel(II) chloride (NiCl₂(PCy₃)₂) and NiCl₂(PPh₃)₂.

The Suzuki coupling reaction can be carried out in various solvents, including, but not limiting to, toluene, dioxane, THF, 2-methyl-THF, water or a mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the reaction is carried out in dioxane or 2-methyl-THF. The reaction can be performed at a temperature between 50-100° C., 60-90° C. or 70-85° C. In one embodiment, the reaction is carried out using 0.025-0.05 eq of PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂, 2-3 eq of K₂CO₃ or NaHCO₃, 1 eq of compound of formula (I), 1.5-2 eq of compound of formula (IVb), 10 volumes of dioxane and 5 volumes of water.

The sulfonylation reaction can be carried out in various solvents including, but not limiting to, pyridine, dichloromethane, THF, acetonitrile, toluene, dioxane, 2-methyl-THF or a mixture thereof. Excess solvents can be used during the reaction, for example, the solvents can be from 1-5 equivalents, such as 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, or 4 equivalents. The temperature for the reaction can be maintained from about 50-110° C., e.g., 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105 or 110° C. In one embodiment, the reaction is carried out in a mixed solvents of pyridine and 10 volumes of dioxane at about 100° C.

The deprotection reaction can be conducted by reacting a compound of formula (IX) with NH₃ dissolved in an organic solvent at a temperature from about 50-110° C., e.g., 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105 or 110° C. The solvents used include, but are not limited to, methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH), dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylacetamide (DMA), THF, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), dioxane, isopropanol (IPA) or combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the reaction can be conducted at 55° C. in the presence of NH₃ (5 eq), MeOH (5 eq, 10 volumes) and DMA (5 volumes). In another embodiment, the reaction can be conducted at 100° C. in the presence of THF (5 volumes) and NH₃/IPA (12 eq).

EXAMPLES

The following examples are offered to illustrate, but not to limit the claimed invention.

Certain molecules claimed in this patent can exist in different enantiomeric and diastereomeric forms and all such variants of these compounds are claimed.

Those skilled in the art will also recognize that during standard work up procedures in organic chemistry, acids and bases are frequently used. Salts of the parent compounds are sometimes produced, if they possess the necessary intrinsic acidity or basicity, during the experimental procedures described within this patent.

Example 1 Preparation of (5-bromo-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)-(2,6-difluoro-3-nitro-phenyl)methanone (3)

To an 50-liter flask was added 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE, 20 L), followed by 5-bromoazaindole (1) (2 kg, 10.152 mol) to result an orange slurry. Aluminum Chloride (5.421 kg, 40.608 mol) was slowly added to the flask. The first 1.5 kg of the addition was exothermic resulting a dark solution. The rest of the AlCl₃ was added to give a reaction mixture. To the reaction mixture was added 2,6-difluoro-3-nitrobenzoyl chloride 2 (2.25 kg, 10.125 mol) via an addition funnel over a period of 1.5 h. During the addition, the reaction temperature was maintained at or below 45° C. After the addition, the reaction mixture was stirred at 50° C. overnight, cooled to room temperature (˜22° C.) and transferred into two separate 20 L flasks. Water (25 L) and acetonitrile (12 L) were added to a 50-liter flask and cooled to 0° C. The reaction mixture was quenched by adding water/acetonitrile solution while keeping the temperature at or below 40° C. The mixture obtained was filtered, and the filtrate was washed with acetonitrile:water (1:1, 2×4 L), water (4 L) and acetonitrile (4 L), followed by drying in vacuum. Compound 3 (2.948 kg, 73.4% yield) was obtained. MS (ESI): M+H⁺=382.9 and 383.9. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, δ ppm): 7.55 (1H, m), 8.47 (2H, m), 8.53 (1H, d, J=2.2 Hz), 8.65 (1H, d, J=2.2 Hz), 13.25 (1H, s).

Example 2 Preparation of (3-amino-2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-(5-bromo-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)methanone (4)

A 50-liter flask was added 2-methyl-tetrahydrofuran (2-methyl-THF) (36 L), compound 3 (2.85 kg, 7.455 mol) and tin(II) chloride (5.03 kg, 22.365 mol). The mixture was heated to 60° C. Upon completion, the reaction was quenched with an aqueous potassium carbonate solution (20%). The resulting mixture was filtered with celite and the solid residue was washed with 2-methyl-THF and tetrahydrofuran (THF). The filtrate was washed with an aqueous NaCl solution (15 L, 10%) and the organic layer was separated. The organic layer was further washed with an aqueous NaCl solution (15 L, 20%) and concentrated on a rotovap to yield compound 4 (2.536 kg, 96.65% yield). MS (ESI): M+H⁺=353 and 354. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, δ ppm): 5.22 (2H, s), 6.93 (2H, m), 8.12 (1H, s), 8.47 (1H, d J=2.3 Hz), 8.54 (1H, d J-1.6 Hz), 13.2 (1H, s).

Example 3 Preparation of (3-amino-2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-[5-bromo-1-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]methanone (5)

Compound 4 (2.5 kg, 7.114 mol) obtained from Example 2 was added into a 50-liter flask and cooled to 9.3° C. To compound 4 in the 50-liter flask was added triethylamine (0.864 kg, 8.537 mol), followed by 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) (0.087 kg, 0.7114 mol) and 2,6-dichlorobenzoyl chloride (1.34 kg, 6.40 mol) in 2-methyl-THF (25 L) over a period of 2 hrs. The reaction was quenched with methanol (0.30 L at room temperature and added an aqueous NaCl solution (12.5 L, 15%) and celite (0.5 kg). The mixture was stirred and filtered through celite. The filtrate was concentrated and added 5 volumes of heptanes. The resulting solution was stirred for about 1 hr and dried with sodium sulfate (1 kg) and filtered. Compound 5 was isolated by removing the solvents under vacuum (3.47 kg, 92.93% yield). MS (ESI): M+H⁺=524, 525.8, 527.8. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d⁶, δ ppm): 5.36 (2H, s), 7.01 (2H, m), 7.68 (3H, s), 8.34 (1H, brs), 8.61 (1H, brs), 8.72 (1H, d J=2.3 Hz).

Example 4 Preparation of (3-amino-2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]methanone (7)

Under a nitrogen atmosphere, a 50-liter flask is charged with compound 5 (1.735 kg, 3.304 mol) prepared from Example 3 in 2-methyl-THF, boronic acid 6 (0.877 kg, 5.617 mol), PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ (0.116 kg, 0.165 mol) and an aqueous sodium bicarbonate (0.833 kg, 9.912 mol) solution (8.7 L). The reaction mixture is degassed and heated to reflux for 7 hrs and stirred at room temperature overnight. Compound 6 (129.0 g) and PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂ (6.6 g) are added again and the reaction mixture is heated to reflux for another 5 hrs. Celite (1.735 kg) is added and the mixture is stirred for 30 minutes and then filtered through a pad of celite. The residue is washed with 2-methyl-THF. The organic layer is separated, washed with a 10% NaCl aqueous solution (4 L) for three times, further washed with a 20% NaCl aqueous solution, filtered, and dried over Na₂SO₄. The filtrate is concentrated by removing about 80-85% of solvent, added ethyl acetate (3.5 L) and stirred overnight. The mixture is filtered and washed with ethyl acetate (2×3.5 L) twice. Compound 7, is isolated after removing the solvents and drying at 45° C. for 48 hrs (2.765 kg, 74% yield).

Example 5 Preparation of N-[3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carbonyl]-2,4-difluoro-phenyl]propane-1-sulfonamide (9)

To a compound 7 (2.76 kg, 4.961 mol) in dioxane (25 L) is added pyridine (3.92 kg, 49.6 mol), followed by compound 8 (2.42 kg, 16.99 mol). The reaction mixture is heated to reflux and stirred overnight. The dioxane solvent is removed by distillation and the reaction is quenched by adding a mixture of ethyl acetate (16 L) and water (14 L). The reaction mixture is filtered and the filtrate is separated into an organic and an aqueous layer. The organic layer is washed with a 10% NaCl aqueous solution (20 L) followed by a 20% NaCl aqueous solution (20 L). The organic layer is separated, stirred in the presence of activated carbon (350 g) and filtered through celite. Compound 9 is isolated by removing the solvents under vacuum (1.81 kg, 52% yield).

Example 6 Preparation of N-[3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carbonyl]-2,4-difluoro-phenyl]propane-1-sulfonamide (10)

To a high pressure vessel is added compound 9 (1.70 kg, 2.567 mol) in THF (5 L), followed by an ammonia/isopropyl alcohol solution (30.80 mol of ammonia in 12 L of isopropyl alcohol). The mixture is heated to 100° C. overnight. When the reaction is completed, the solvents are removed in vacuum and the residue is dissolved in isopropanol. Compound 10 is isolated and further purified by recrystallization using a mixture of THF (7 L) and isopropanol (14 L). Yield: 0.763 kg (60.7%).

Example 7 Preparation of (3-amino-2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]methanone (7)

Compound 5 (900 g; 1.7 mol) compound 6 (375.8 g; 1.4 mol), sodium bicarbonate (302.6 g; 2.1 mol) followed by 3-methyl-THF (9 L) and water (4.5 L) were added to the 20 L reactor and the mixture was purged with nitrogen at least for 1 h. Bis-triphenylphospino-palladium (II) chloride (60.8 g; 0.086 mol) was added and the reaction mixture was heated to 70-75° C. and stirred for 2 h. The reaction mixture was cooled and filtered over celite pad. The organic layer of the filtrate was separated, washed with water, and concentrated under vacuum. The precipitated solid was isolated by filtration and dried to provide compound 7 (953.9 g) as a brown solid (Purity=95.1%; Yield=˜100%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ (ppm) 8.75-8.76 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.59 (m, 1H), 8.52 (s, 1H), 7.80-7.82 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.69-7.71 (m, 3H), 7.54-7.56 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 6.99-7.07 (m, 2H), and 5.36 (s, 2H). MS (ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=556.1 and 558.1.

Example 8 Preparation of N-[3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carbonyl]-2,4-difluoro-phenyl]propane-1-sulfonamide (9)

Compound 7 (800 g; 1.44 mol) and dimethylamino pyridine (7.2 g; 0.059 mol), under nitrogen, were added to a 5 L three-necked-round bottom flask cooled in an ice water bath. Anhydrous pyridine (1.8 L) was charged and the mixture was stirred at 10-15° C. until a homogeneous solution was obtained. Propane-1-sulfonyl chloride (308 g; 2.16 mol) was added drop-wise from an addition funnel while keeping the reaction temperature <20° C. and the reaction mixture was stirred at 20-25° C. for 3 h. The reaction mixture was added to a mixture of 2-methyl-THF (7 L) and water (10 L) in a flask and the organic layer was separated, washed with 1N HCl (2 L) followed by brine (2 L), and dried. The residue was azeotroped with toluene to remove the residual water to provide crude compound 9 (1116.4 g) which was used in the next step without purification.

Example 9 Preparation of N-[3-[5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carbonyl]-2,4-difluoro-phenyl]propane-1-sulfonamide (10)

Crude compound 9 and THF (6 L) were added to a 12 L round-bottom flask and stirred until the clear solution was obtained. A solution of ammonia in methanol (1.24 L; 7M) was added and stirred for 24 h at 28-35° C. The reaction mixture was concentrated to near dryness after with methanol was added and concentrated at 45-50° C. The separated solid was filtered and dried at 45-50° C. under vacuum to obtain crude compound 10 (601.7 g; Purity=≧95%; Yield=85.4%). Recrystallization of the crude in acetone/methanol (2:1) provided compound 10 in 74% yield with a purity of 98.5%. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d6): δ (ppm) 9.78 (s, 1H), 8.72-8.73 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.65 (brs, 1H), 8.26 (s, 1H), 7.79-7.82 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.57-7.61 (m, 3H), 7.28-7.32 (t, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 2.50-2.52 (m, 2H), 1.73-1.78 (m, 2H), and 0.96-0.98 (t, 3H). MS (ESI) [M+H⁺]⁺=490.1 and 492.1.

All patents, patent applications and other references cited in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and are incorporated by reference in their entireties, including any tables and figures, to the same extent as if each reference had been incorporated by reference in its entirety individually.

One skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The methods, variances, and compositions described herein as presently representative of preferred embodiments are exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art, which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention, are defined by the scope of the claims

While this invention has been disclosed with reference to specific embodiments, it is apparent that other embodiments and variations of this invention may be devised by others skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention

In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups or other grouping of alternatives, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group or other group.

Also, unless indicated to the contrary, where various numerical values are provided for embodiments, additional embodiments are described by taking any two different values as the endpoints of a range. Such ranges are also within the scope of the described invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein: Q is F or H; P¹ is H, 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, t-butoxycarbonyl, trimethylsilyl, or t-butyldiphenylsilyl; P² is 2,6-dichlorophenylcarbonyl; and L¹ is Br, Cl, I, R¹—SO₂O— or R²C(O)O—; wherein R¹ and R² are each optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted C₁₋₆alkyl.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein P¹ is H.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein L¹ is Br, Cl, I, tosyl-O—, mesyl-O—, trifluoromethanesulfonyl-O—, R¹—SO₂O— or R²C(O)O—, wherein R¹ and R² are each aryl, aryl-C₁₋₄alkyl or C₁₋₆alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted with from 1-3 R^(c) substituents selected from halogen, —CH═CH₂, —CN, —OH, —NH₂, —NO₂, —C(O)OH, —C(O)NH₂, —S(O)₂NH₂, —NHC(O)NH₂, —NHC(S)NH₂, —NHS(O)₂NH₂, —C(NH)NH₂, —OR^(d), —SR^(d), —OC(O)R^(d), —C(O)R^(d), —C(O)OR^(d), —C(S)OR^(d), —S(O)R^(d), —S(O)₂R^(d), —C(O)NHR^(d), —C(O)NR^(d)R^(d), —S(O)₂NHR^(d), —S(O)₂NR^(d)R^(d), —C(NH)NHR^(d), —C(NH)NR^(d)R^(d), —NHC(O)R^(d), —NR^(d)C(O) R^(d), —NHS(O)₂R^(d), —NR^(d)S(O)₂R^(d), —NHC(O)NHR^(d), —NHR^(d) or —NR^(d)R^(d), wherein each R^(d) is independently selected from C₁₋₆alkyl or aryl.
 4. The compound of claim 3, wherein L¹ is Br, Cl, I, tosyl-O—, mesyl-O—, trifluoromethanesulfonyl-O—, CF₃C(O)O— or CH₃C(O)O—.
 5. The compound of claim 1, wherein P¹ is H and L¹ is Br.
 6. A method for preparing a compound of formula (Ia), said method comprising: contacting a compound of formula (II):

with an agent of formula: P²—X¹ under conditions sufficient to form the compound of formula (Ia):

and wherein: X¹ is Br, Cl, I, tosyl-O—, mesyl-O—, trifluoromethanesulfonyl-O—, CF₃C(O)O— or CH₃C(O)O—; P² is 2,6-dichlorophenylcarbonyl; Q is H or F; and L¹ is Br, Cl, I, R¹—SO₂O— or R²C(O)O—; wherein R¹ and R² are each optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted C₁₋₆alkyl.
 7. A method for preparing a compound of formula (I)

said method comprising: contacting a compound of formula (II):

with an agent of formula: P²—X¹ under conditions sufficient to form the compound of formula (Ia):

and reacting a compound of formula (Ia) with an agent of formula: P¹—X³ under conditions sufficient to form the compound of formula (I); wherein: X¹ is Br, Cl, I, tosyl-O—, mesyl-O—, trifluoromethanesulfonyl-O—, CF₃C(O)O— or CH₃C(O)O—; X³ is a leaving group; P¹ is H, 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, t-butoxycarbonyl, trimethylsilyl, or t-butyldiphenylsilyl; P² is 2,6-dichlorophenylcarbonyl; Q is H or F; L¹ is Br, Cl, I, R¹—SO₂O— or R²C(O)O; wherein R¹ and R² are each optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted C₁₋₆alkyl.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein said contacting is carried out in the presence of triethylamine and 4-dimethylaminopyridine.
 9. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein L¹ is Br.
 10. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein Q is F. 